I realize we're getting to the wrong time of year for this... but does anyone out there enjoy canoeing? I'm looking for some information and discussion on the "sport" in this country. I see all these gorgeous lakes, but no canoes!?!? I don't understand it. Maybe I'm just looking in all the wrong places...

Also, if anybody has a beat up wooden canoe that they want to get rid of please let me know!

As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run.

Canoeing

rider1000 wrote:I realize we're getting to the wrong time of year for this... but does anyone out there enjoy canoeing? I'm looking for some information and discussion on the "sport" in this country. I see all these gorgeous lakes, but no canoes!?!? I don't understand it. Maybe I'm just looking in all the wrong places...

Why paddle when you can row? Where would you store the canoe if you live in an apartment? The rowing boat you can leave on the shore.

I have seen a lot of canoes/kayaks (mainly latter) on the roofs of cars though so maybe you are looking in all the wrong places

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There is just something about paddling that I enjoy. I have nothing against rowing, it just doesn't really interest me the same. I'm familiar with the Saimaa area, I know that there are some canoe routes in that lake system. I'm just surprised to see so few canoes in Finland but as you say, I could be blind.

As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run.

Ok, so here's an idea. I'm trying to start an after school "class" on canoe building at a school near Turku. I want to build wooden canoes. They won't be anything super fancy, but would be very useful and sturdy and light. Something to throw on the roof of your car and take to the lake to fish in or paddle to your cabin. We could probably even build single end canoes that would have a motor mount on the back.

Anyway, before I get too off track. Would anyone be interested in purchasing a canoe like this, handbuilt in Finland? I think the price could be around 300e, maybe less!

Ok, I guess what I'm really looking for here is a survey of the "general" population of Finland. Would this be something that people would buy? In other words, could I expect to be able to maybe make enough money off selling these to continue building them? Not a get rich quick idea, just a self sustaining project...

Thanks

As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run.

rider1000 wrote:Ok, so here's an idea. I'm trying to start an after school "class" on canoe building at a school near Turku. I want to build wooden canoes. They won't be anything super fancy, but would be very useful and sturdy and light. Something to throw on the roof of your car and take to the lake to fish in or paddle to your cabin. We could probably even build single end canoes that would have a motor mount on the back.

Anyway, before I get too off track. Would anyone be interested in purchasing a canoe like this, handbuilt in Finland? I think the price could be around 300e, maybe less!

Ok, I guess what I'm really looking for here is a survey of the "general" population of Finland. Would this be something that people would buy? In other words, could I expect to be able to maybe make enough money off selling these to continue building them? Not a get rich quick idea, just a self sustaining project...

So you're saying that these should be sold for more than 300e? If this is something that I'm able to start doing, I'd like to continue doing it. I don't know how much it will cost to build one of these so that will affect the final price I need to recoup my investment and build another.

Now that I think about it, maybe I wasn't clear on my intentions. I'm not buying a kit canoe to put together and sell. I'd be purchasing plans only and then building the canoe myself (or with the students, as the case may be) with materials purchased in Finland. Is 300e a fair price for something like that? Or do you still suggest asking for more just to maintain the value of the item?

Upphew, you seem to know something about boats. I'm curious about your background.

As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run.

rider1000 wrote:So you're saying that these should be sold for more than 300e? If this is something that I'm able to start doing, I'd like to continue doing it. I don't know how much it will cost to build one of these so that will affect the final price I need to recoup my investment and build another.

I'm saying that if the canoe takes 10 or 20 hours of work, there pay per hour isn't much with 300e. And the materials won't come free. Nor the tools. etc.I understand that you are going to finance just the next build, but as buyer, I would be suspicious with something new at that price. Unless the quality is very shoddy, I would at least advertise it with double the price.

rider1000 wrote:Now that I think about it, maybe I wasn't clear on my intentions. I'm not buying a kit canoe to put together and sell. I'd be purchasing plans only and then building the canoe myself (or with the students, as the case may be) with materials purchased in Finland. Is 300e a fair price for something like that? Or do you still suggest asking for more just to maintain the value of the item?

hey rider1000, i think you got a good idea with the 'afterschool canoe' thing. you would probably be able to do it at your local 'hiidenopisto' or something of the sorts. i agree with you about canoeing, my wife and i dig it, but you realy dont see much out there. kayaking is big here especially in the archipelago, and you gotta admit its more efficient

Terve rider1000, I think you have a good idea there. I was surprised too to find that there aren't many canoes in Finland. I'd love to buy (even better, build) a cheap canoe to play on the river with. I grew up canoeing in Canada and I think it's a better boat then a row boat.Have you looked into building your own canoes yet?

Plenty of canoes on the lakes and rivers. Kayaks also, especially on the sea. Also lots of rental places for both. A guy ran a skin on frame kayak building class near me a few years back so your idea is not so bizarre.

Wow... I just read the 2012 race report (courtesy of google translate). Evidently a couple of "dead canoeists" had to swim to shore... I need to learn to read Finnish, but it would be less entertaining!

I haven't done much more in regards to building canoes. The after school idea I had was pretty much shot down due to "lack of funding." I do, however, still have an interest in building a canoe and have a number of books that include plans (blueprints) for different canoes. Maybe I'll get to one this summer, as I'll be near Mikkeli and have access to a workshop rather than just my apartment in Turku. Something tells me that my neighbors wouldn't appreciate a 5 meter canoe in the stair well...

As long as there are young men with the light of adventure in their eyes or a touch of wildness in their souls, rapids will be run.